 "Photo: Morgan Crutchfield/Echo staff photographer")
Ask just about any N.C. Central University student about their advising experiences and you're likely to get an earful.
According to some students the problem is especially bad at the department level. Students say some department advisers are hard to contact, others don't seem qualified or know program requirements sufficiently.
"Getting in touch with advisers can be difficult and frustrating," said James Ford, sociology and psychology senior.
Ford said it took him weeks to contact his adviser, who then only gave him an alternate PIN number without an advising session.
There are also problems brought on by students themselves.
Some don't seek advising. Some are not prepared for advising sessions. They come unprepared, without their transcripts, notes from previous advising sessions, course catalogues, or even a pen and paper to their advising sessions.
"Most students come empty handed. Are they really serious about being here?" asked Ontario Wooden, associate dean of the University College. Students can also get themselves into trouble when they self-advise.
Too often, according Wooden, student select courses based simply on their availability, or to fit their lifestyle, rather than the way courses fit their program requirements or development level.
"Self-advising is like giving a small child a loaded gun, which is overall detrimental to their well-being," said Sandra Rogers, clinical instructor and director of student services.
Sensing these problems, NCCU now requires freshmen and sophomores to receive one-stop mandatory advising at the University College's Academic Advising located in the Alexander Dunn Building.
"University College was introduced to give students a leveled playing field," says Wooden.
A major issue with advising is timing. Wooden explained that the first day of classes in the fall, students will crowd the lobby of the Alexander Dunn Building.
"Students will be unsatisfied when they do not get courses at times convenient for them," says Wooden. According to Wooden there are 13 advisers at University College, two of whom are devoted to transfer students.
Students are assigned to the advisers by last name. Since March 14, 2011 there have been 1,971 visits to academic advising and 1,523 completed registration.
On average between 100-125 students receive advising each day, around 500 a week. And it's working according to some students.
"My adviser takes my best interest at heart, even when she is busy she makes time," said political science freshman Brittany Farris.
Farris said she meets with her adviser often. "I know I am benefiting from the help," she said.
According to Wooden the goal is to make sure students graduate in four years — a problem that has taken on new urgency with the new 1.9 GPA requirement. Currently 807 undergraduates have 1.9 or below GPAs.
Many students say that advising problems are most serious at the departmental level.
According to Rogers, a key problem at the department level is that faculty do not take the time to know the know rules and regulations.
She advised that students must assume the responsibility to understand their course requirements and find someone with academic advising experience.
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